Pneumatic-despatch apparatus.



PNEUMATIC DSPATGH'APPARTUS. `(Appumimu med Nov. 21, 1899. nenwd mp; 14, 1901.)

4 Sheets-Sheet 2.

(No Model.)

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Patented pAug y .l. lT. cnwLEY. PNEUMATIC DESPATCH APPARATUS. (Appucniqn med Nov. 27, 1899. 'Renewed Dec. 14, 1901.)

4 Sheets-Sheet 4.

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UNITED STATES p PATENT OFFIC.`

JAMES T. COVLEY, OF LOWELL, MASSACHUSETTS, lASSIGNOR TO .THE AMERICAN PNEUMATIC SERVICE COMPANY', OF DOVER, DELAWARE, A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE.

PN EU MATlC-DESPTCH APPARATUS.

SPECIFICATION forming' part of Letters Patent No. 706,639, dated August 12, 1902. Application filed November 27, 1899. Renewed December 14, 1901. Serial No. 85,912. (No model.)

To all whom, it may concern:

13e it known that I, J AMES T; COWLEY, of

Lowell, in the countyofMiddlesex and State of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and-useful Improvements in Pneumatic-Despatch Apparatus, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in receivers for use in pneumatic-despatch apparatus; and its object is to provide a receiver which will receive and automatically deliver a carrier.

My invention consists of certain novel features hereinafter described, and particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, which illustrate a construction embodying my invention, Figure 1 is a longitudinal vertical central section through the `receiving-terminal with some of the parts in full lines. Figui? ,is a,

top plan view of the receiving-terminal. Fig. 3 is a front end elevation of the receivingterminal. Fig. 4 is a detail viewof atripping device hereinafter described. Fig. is a plan detailviewof valve-operatinglevershereinafter described. Fig. 6 is an end view of a tripping device for reversing one of the valve mechanisms. Fig. 6a is an enlarged detail sectional view of a pawl mechanism hereinafter described. Fig. 6b is a.detail View of part of the receiver and valve-operati!) g mechanism hereinafter described. Figs. 7 8, and 9 are respectively sectional, topjand'front lates the escape of air after the carrier has been cushioned in the receiving -terminaL Figs. 10, 1l, and 12 are respectively top, sectional, and front views of the valve mechanism for controlling the air which discharges the carrier fromoneof the receiving-tubes. s

' Figs. 13, 14, andl are respectively sectional top, longitudinal central, and side views of the valve mechanism for controllingthe air which reverses thereceiving-tubes. Figs. 16 and 17 are respectively sectional and 4top views of the valve mechanism which regulates the liowof air to operate the Valve mechanism which controls the escape of air which cushions the carrier.

`with a cam D7,

4parts in normal Like letters of reference refer to like parts throughout the several views.

A represents a receiving-terminalA at one end of the pneu matic-despatch tube, and consists of a tube B in alineme'nt withthe pneumatic tube C, and at the end of the tube B is a receiver C', consisting of ytwo receivingtubes, to'be hereinafter described. As a carrier enters the tube B from the pipe C it strikes the lower end of the lever B', secured fast on the shaft B2, to which is also secured fast the lever B3, and the outer end of the lever BS is connected to the eye B4 on the valve-rod B5, and Within the valve-casing Bb the rod B5 is connected to th plungers Bl B8, and as the lever B4 is raised by the movement of the carrier through the connections above described the plungers B7B8 are raised, closing the port C2,and at the same time the rod D is forced. by the spring D so that its end D2 comes under the lug Ds on the lever B3 and holds said lever and valve-rod D5 in the upper position, Fig; 4, and to the opposite end D4 of said rod D is secured the roll D5, which as the rod D moves forward under the iniluencc of the spring D comes in contact with the inner flange Don the inner end of thereceiverC'. his flange Diis provided for a purpose hereinafter described.

The pressure which has driven the carrier intoithe tube B passes through the perforations E down into the column E and, with the position, would all pass out through the opening E2, either returning to 'another tube to the starting-point or to the The val Ve-casing B6 is connec t.

atmosphere. ed to the pipe F at F', and the opposite end of said pipe is connected `to the column E' at F2 and is supplied with air-pressure from said column. The pipe Fais connected at F4 to the valve-casing B6, and the opposite end of the pipe F3 is connected at the outlet F5 in the upper end of the valve-casing G. Within the valve-casing G are disks G G2, connected to the stem G4. Before the lever B is raised by the carrier, as previously stated, the air-pressure from the column E' will pass through the pipe F, the ports C3 and C2 of the valve-casing B, and through the pipe F into the top of the valve-casing G through the inlet F5 and will exert a pressure upony the upper side of the plunger G', holding the plungers G' G2 in the position shownin Fig. 7 against the tension of the spring G4, thereby closing the exhaust-port G5, leading to the exhaust-pipe G5. In this condition of the parts the plunger G' closes the port G5, thereby closing the outlet from the tube H of the receiver C through the passage G7 and the exhaust-pipe G5, as shown in Fig. l, where it is also shown that the valve-casin g G is secured to the fixed head J, and by means of the pins H' the receivingtubes H and H2 of the receiver C are pivotally mounted and adapted to revolve so as to bring one or the other into alinement with the tube B to'receive a carrier coming through the despatch-tube C. When the carrier has entered and raised the lever B' and moved the connected parts as previously described, the plunger B8 will be raised above the port C2 and the pressure in the pipe F3 will be released to the atmosphere through the opening C4, which will relieve the pressure on top of the plunger G' and allow the spring G4 to raise the plungers G' G2 and open the port G5, allowing the air to escape from the tube H through the passage G7 into the exhaust-pipe G9. Before the plungers G' G2 have moved as above described the vcarrier in its forward movement will compress the air in the receiving-tube H, thereby forming a cushion for the carrier. This increased air-pressure in front of the carrierwill pass through the passage G7 and will act upon the plunger G2, which is greater in area than the plunger G', and will hold the plunger G2 down against the tension of the spring G4, thereby holding the 'port G5 closed by the plunger G' until the increased pressure in front of the carrier is relieved, which will take place when the carrier is brought to a stop.

f in the bearings J2 on the head J.

vposite end ofthis shaft J7 is secured the lever 65 J9, the lower end of which engages with thev As soon as a carrier has come to a stop and the increased pressure in front of the carrier is removed the spring G4 will raise the plunvgersG' G2, opening the port G5 and allowing the air to escape from the tube H through the passage G7 and port G5 into the exhaust-pipe G5 and thence to the atmosphere, as previously described. The pressure being entirely removed from in front of the carrier, the carrier will'be moved forward in the tube H by the pressure of the air in the tube B until the forward end of the carrier strikes the lever J', securedto the shaft J2, mounted in the head J. To the outer end of this shaft J2 is secured the lever-J3, which has at its lower end the pawl J4, held in its outer position by the spring J5. This pawl is adapted to engage with the upper end of the lever J9, mounted on the shaft J7, which is journaled 'lo the opiiange Kon the valve-stem K' in the valvecasing Kv2 and holds the valve-stem K'in its raised position (shown in Figs. l and 14) against the' tension of the spring K5. As the carrier strikes thelever J through the connections above described the lever J9 is released from the iange K on the valve-stem K' and allows the spring K3 to lower the valve-stem K' to the lower position from that shown in Figs. l and 14, so as to bring the top of the plunger K2 below the ports K9. end of the lever J9 will then be moved outwardly by the action of the spring JH), so that the lower end of the lever J 9 will pass above the flange K and prevent the valve-stem K' from rising until the lever J9 is again released from the top of the flange K. In this position the air from the supply-pipe K4 will enter the chamber K5 and pass through the port K9 into the pipe K19 and thence be carried Y to the bottom of the cylinder L and below the piston L'. The pressure of the air acting on the piston L' will raise the plunger to an upper position in the cylinder L. As the piston L rises, carrying with it the piston-rod L2, the rack L3, mounted on the upper end of said piston-rod L2, is moved upward, and said rack being in mesh with the gear L4 will rotate the said gear. The gear L4 is secured to the shaft L5, mounted in the bearings L6 on the bracket L7, Fig. l, secured to the top of the cylinder L, Fig. 3. On one end of the shaft L5 is mounted fast the lever L9, having a stud L9, on which is loosely mounted the connecting-rod M. The upper end of the connecting-rod M is journaled in the lugs M on the receiving-tube H. On the opposite end of the shaft L5 is mounted fast the lever M2, having a stud M2 inits opposite end, on which is journaled one end ofthe connecting-rod M4, the opposite end of the rod M4 being journaled in the lugs M5 of the receiving-tu be H2. located on the shaft L5 at an angle to each other in the positions shown in Fig. 3, the lengths of the connecting-rods M and M4 being equal, and also the distance from the centers of the lugs M' and M5 and the bearings H' and the distance from the centers of the studs L9 and M5 and the shaft L5 are equal, so that when the shaft L5 is vrotated by the rack L5working in the gear L4 (the carrier being located in the receiving-tube H, as-

above described, and having caused the operation of the valve to admit air to the bottom of the cylinder L, as above stated) the receiver C' is rotated in the direction of the arrow a, Fig. 3, so that the receiving-tube H will be moved to the position before occupied by the receiving-tube H2, Fig. l, and the receiving-tube H2 will be rotated to occupy the former position of the receivingtube H. 1n this reversed position of the vreceiving-tu bes the carrier will be lowered to the position opposite the receiving-table N and in position to be discharged thereon. As the receiver C rotates the cam D7 on the flange D9, Fig. 4, passing under the roll D5, mounted on the end of the rod D, moves the The lower The levers L5 and M2 are IOO IIO

*masse end D2 of the rod D from under the lug Ds of the lever B3 and allows the lever B2 to drop, carrying with it the lever B' within the tube B back to its normal position, Fig. 1, and in position to be again operated `by the incoming carrier, and the operation will be the same as previously described for the carriers entering a receiving-tube of the receiver C'. As the receiver C' rotatesto reverse the positions of the receiving-tubes I-I and H2 the cam P, Fig. 6b, will engage With the upper end of the lever P', mounted on the shaft P2, journaled in the lugs P2 of the frame P', and move the lever P in the direction of the arrow Z9, Fig. 5. On the shaft P2 is secured the lever P5, to the upper end of which is secured the connecting-rod P6. The opposite end of this connecting-rod is secured to the eye P7 of the valve-stem PS in the valve-casing Q. Pivoted to the lever P' at R is the connecting-rod R', the opposite end of which is pivoted at R2 to the lower arm of the lever R3, which is pivoted to the lug R4. The upper end of this lever projects up through the slot R5 in the receiving-table N in position to be engaged by the carrier when it is discharged on said receiving-table. As the valve-stem PS is moved outwardly, as above described, carrying with it the plunger Q', so that the plunger will move beyond the port Q2, Fig. 11, air will be admitted from the supply-pipe S through the circular ports Q2 into the pipe S', leading to the opening S2 (dotted lines, Fig. 3) in the head J. The said opening S42 counects with the lower receiving-tube and allows the air to pass through said opening into the receiving-tube H, which, as above clescribed, has been brought around to the lower position into alinement with the table N and ejects the carrier from the tube H onto the receiving-table N. As the carrier passes onto the receiving-table N it will engage with and depress the lever R3 and through the connectious of the rod R', lever P5, aud connect-v ing-rod P6 the plunger Q' in the valve-casing Q will be moved to close the port Q2, Fig. l1, shutting off the supply of air from 4the supply-pipe S and the opening S2.

On the end of the outer bearingH is mounted the flange O, having a pin O', upon which is mounted one end of the connecting-rod O2. The opposite end of this connecting-.rod is secured to the eye O3 on the rod O4 in the valvestem K'. The rod Ol hasacollar O5, Fig. 14., secured to it within the valve-stemK' above the spring K2. Within the valve-stem K' is also located the spring O6, in position to be acted upon by the collar O5 when the rod O4 is raised. As the receiver C' rotates, carrying with it the bearing H', the flange O, and pin O', through the connections above described, raise the rod O4 and move with it the collar O5, compressing the spring` O6 and relieving the tension of the spring K3. The action of the spring O will then be to lift the Valve-stem K'; but4 as the valve-stern K is held down by the lever J9 beiugabove the` K', the plunger O7 will be raised to the posil tion shown in Fig.`14, admitting air from the valve-chamber K5 through the port K6, into pipe K7, leading to the upper end of the cylinder L, and the air-pressure on'thepiston L' in the cylinder L will lower the piston to the position shown in Fig. 1, restoring all the parts to their normal positions, as shown in Fig. 1.

It will be noted that with the plungers in the valve-casing K2 in the positions shown in Fig. llt the exhaust-air passing through the pipe K10 and port K9 will pass out through the port T, and thence to the exhaust-pipe T', then into the exhaust-pipe G, and with the plungers in the valve-casing K2 in -the lower` position, as above described, the exhaust-air will pass through the pipe K7 and port K, and through the port T2 into the pipe T, and thence to the exhaust-pipe GG.

Located on opposite ends ot' the receiver C' are a series of packing-rings T3 and spring T4, packing the receiver C', so as to-prevent leakage of the air.

Having thus ascertained` the nature of my invention and setforth a construction embodying the same,what I claimas new,and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is i 1. In a pneumatic-despatch apparatus, a despatch-tube, a terminal, a receiver for the carriers consisting of two receiving-tubes, mechanism consisting of a `shaft having arms for moving said tubes and connecting-rods engaging with said arms and with said tubes,A

the connections on said arms and on said tubes being of equal distances fromthe centers of revolution, and mechanism for operating said shaft and connecting-rods.

2. In apneumatic-despatch apparatus, a despatch-tube, a` terminal, a receiverfor the carriers consisting of two-receivingtubes,`

mechanism consisting ofa shaft having arms for moving said tubes and connecting-rods en- IOO IIC

gaging with said arms and with said tubes,`

the connections on said Aarms and on said tubes being of equal distances from the centersof revolution, a gear-wheel fasten said shaft, a cylinder, a piston located ou said cylinder and provided with a piston-rod to engage 'with said gear-wheel and operate the same upon theimovement of the piston, and an air-supply for operating said` piston.

3. `In a pneumatic-despatch apparatus, a despatch-tube, a terminal, a receiver for the carrier consisting of` two receiving tubes, mechanism consisting of a shaft havingarms for movin g said. tubesand connecting-rods engaging with said arms and with saidv tubes, the connectionsv on said arms and on said tubes being of equal distances from the centers of revolution, a gear-Wheel fast on said shaft, a cylinder, a piston located on said cylinder and provided with a piston-rod having on its outercend a rack adapted to engage with said gear-Wheel and operate the same upon the movement of the piston, and au airsupply for operating said piston.

4. In a pneumatic-despatch apparatus, a despatch-tube, a receiver, means for cushioning the carrier by the air compressed ahead of the traveling carrier, and means for releasing the compressed air ahead of the carrier after the carrier has been cushioned so that the pressure behind the carrier Will move it to the end of the receiver.

5. In a pneumatic-despatch apparatus, a despatch-tube, a receiver, means for cushioning the carrier by the air compressed ahead of the traveling carrier, and means operated by the carrier for releasing the compressed air ahead of the carrier after the carrier has been cushioned so that the pressure behind the carrier Will move it to the end of the receiver.

. 6. In a pneumatic-despatch apparatus, a despatch-tube, a receiver, means for cushioning the carrier, means operated by the air compressed ahead of the carrier for preventing the escape of the compressed air ahead of the carrier until the carrier has been cushioned, and means for releasing the compressed air ahead ofthe carrier after the carrier has been cushioned so that'the pressure behind the carrier will move it to the end of the receiver.

7. In a pneumatic-despatch apparatus, a despatch-tube, a receiver for the carriers consistingl of receiving-tubes, mechanism for moving one of said tubes out of alinement with the despatch-tube for the discharge of the carrier and for moving another tube into alinement-With the despatch-tube to receive t a carrier from said despatch-tube, and mechanism located in the path of the carrier and operated thereby to actuate the mechanism for moving the receiver to discharge a carrier.

8. In a pneumaticdespatch apparatus, a despatch-tu be, a receiver for the carriers consisting yof receiving-tubes, mechanism for moving one of said tubes out of alinement with the despatch-tube for the discharge of the carrier and for moving another tube into alinement with the despatch-tube to receive a carrier from said despatch-tube, mechanism located in the path of the traveling carrier'and operated thereby to admit air for operating said receiver-moving mechanism, and an air-supply for operating said receivermoving mechanism. i

9. In a pneumatic-despatch apparatus, a

despatch-tube, a receiver for the carriers consisting of receiving-tubes, mechanism for moving one of said tubes out of ali-nement with the despatch-tube for the discharge of the carrier and for moving another tube into alinement with the despatch-tube to receive a carrier from said despatch-tube, an air-supply for operating said receiver-moving mechanism, mechanism located in the path of the traveling carrier and operated thereby to actuate the receiver-moving mechanism by air from said supply, and means for discharging the carrier. 10. In a pneumatic-despatch apparatus, a despatch-tube, a receiver for the carriers consisting of receivingtubes, mechanism for moving one of said tubes ont of alinement with the despatch-tube for the discharge of the carrier and for moving another tube into alinement with the despatch-tube to receive a carrier from said despatch-tube, an air-supply for operating said receiver-moving mechanism, mechanism located in the path of the traveling carrier and operated thereby to actuate the receiver-moving mechanism by air from said air-supply, an air-supply for discharging the carrier, and means for admitting air to discharge the carrier.

1l. In a pneumatic-despatch apparatus, a despatch-tube, a receiver for the carriers consisting of receiving-tubes, a source of compressed air, mechanism operated by compressed air from said source for moving one of said tubes out of alinement with the despatch-tube for the discharge of the carrier and for moving another tube into alinement with the despatch-tube to receive a carrier from said despatch-tube, an air-supply for operating said receiver-moving mechanism, mechanism located in the path of the traveling carrier and operating thereby to admit air to said receiver-moving mechanism for operating said receiver-moving mechanism, and means for discharging the carrier.

l2. In a pneumatic-despatch apparatus, a despatch tube, a receiver for the carrier, mechanism for removing said receiver out of alinement With the despatch-tube for the discharge of a carrier, an air-supply for operating said mechanism, mechanism located in the path of the carrier and operated thereby to actuate said mechanism for moving the receiver for the discharge of a carrier, an airsupply for discharging said carrier, means for admitting air from said air-supply to discharge a carrier, and means operated by the discharged carrier for cutting oft the air-supply which discharges the carrier.

13. In a pneumatic-despatch apparatus, a

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transmission-tube for the carriers, a movable receiver, a source of air-pressure, a cylinder having a piston connected to said receiver, a valve controlling the flowof air-pressure into said cylinder to operate the piston therein, mechanism located in the path of the traveling carrier and operated thereby to actuate said valve to admit air to said cylinder to move the receiver from alinement with the transmission-tube for the discharge of the carrier, and a valve controlling the flow of air-pressure into said receiver to discharge transmission-tube forthe discharge of the carrier, an outlet from said receiver for the escape of the air compressed by the traveling carrier, and a valve actuated by the air compressed by the traveling carrier and adapted to close the escape of compressed air from the receiver tocushion the carrier in the receiver.

15. In a pneumatic-despatch apparatus, a transmission-tube for the carriers, a movable receiver, a source of air-pressure, a cylinder having a piston connected to said receiver, a valve controlling the 110W of air-pressure into said cylinder to operate the piston therein, mechanism located in the path of the traveling,Tl carrier and operated thereby to actuate said valve to admit .air to said cylinder to move the receiver from alinement with the transmission-tube for the discharge of the carrier, an outlet from said receiver for the escape ofthe air compressed bythe traveling carrier, a valve actuated by the air compressed by the traveling carrier and adapted to close the escape of compressed air from the receiver to cushion the carrier in the receiver, and means for opening said valve after the carrier has been cushioned. i

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification, in the presence of two subscribing Witnesses, this 11th day of November, A. D. 1899.

J AMES' T. COWLEY. Witnesses:

A. L. MEssER, C. A. STEWART. 

